When it comes to taking the very first step toward achieving an ideal body, most people are often perplexed. When deciding whether they require plastic or cosmetic surgery, these two concepts, which are strongly related, are sometimes misunderstood as synonymous.
To give you a better understanding of these two types of procedures, we’ll go through what is the difference between plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery, and help you decide which one is best for you.
All You Need to Know About Plastic Surgery
At its heart a restoration and reconstruction procedure, plastic surgery is a surgical specialty that involves the alteration of damaged human body parts. This can be skin grafts, limb reconstruction, or other procedures that require the lifting and adjustment of organs.
Some other procedures within the plastic surgery field include rhinoplasty and peripheral nerve surgery, as well as correcting deformities caused by burns, inflammation, and most often, cancerous diseases.
Plastic surgery, long practiced in India, was first performed in barbershops before surgeons persuaded the world to accept it into medical practices from its long status as taboo. Today, the fast-growing digital world surrounds plastic surgery with state-of-the-art facilities and technology that are changing lives.
Before gaining certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery, plastic surgeons must acquire 6 to 8 years of training in both plastic and cosmetic surgery.
Types of Plastic Surgery
According to Stanford University, there are 6 distinct types of plastic surgery:
1. Facial Plastic Surgery
These procedures involve the upper portion of the body (typically the head), and include facelifts, eyelifts, brow/forehead lifts, eyelid lifts, hair replacement, cheek or jaw reshaping, cleft lip, cleft palate, and craniosynostosis.
2. Breast augmentation
This type of plastic surgery includes breast implants, lifts, and adjustment or restoration procedures. Although the majority of patients who partake in breast augmentation are women, men have become more involved in seeking breast augmentation.
3. Abdomen Adjustments
Abdominal plastic surgeries, which are in high demand, typically encompass tummy tucks and liposuction. These procedures are mainly used to reduce and alter excessive fat or swelling in the abdominal region.
4. Skin Restoration
When it comes to the skin, plastic surgery treats a lot of physical damages, some of which may seem miraculous. This type of plastic surgery includes tattoo removal, scar revision, laser peel, vein removal, glycolic peels, chemical peels, dermabrasion, botox filler, and collagen/fat injectable fillers.
5. Hands & Upper Limbs
This type of plastic surgery typically involves reconstruction for hands and upper extremities. For example, it may be used to restore some level of functionality when treating nerve damage or a chronic condition.
6. Oral Surgeries
A range of plastic surgery types is available for oral and dental concerns, from impacted wisdom teeth and dental implants to reconstructive surgery for the gums and jaw.
All You Need to Know About Cosmetic Surgery
Unlike plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery is used as an aesthetic enhancement to improve the self-esteem of patients by implementing (usually) permanent fixes and upgrades to the body.
Both plastic and cosmetic surgery require similar changes in suggested areas, but are considered elective to patients who are currently healthy before medical procedures.
Cosmetic surgeries come with major permanent results and should be properly studied before initial consideration. This is why most cosmetic surgeries are insured and require certified practitioners in the field before any physical alterations are made to the patient.
Some Examples of Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery types also include plastic surgery, but they are quite distinct when it comes to permanency and the process involved in the procedure. These are:
1. Hair transplantation
Hair transplantation can renew and restore hair to those who have lost it. Hair follicle grafts are transplanted into the skin on the head, chin, and other parts of the body.
Hair transplant sometimes takes months to achieve the desired results. Transplanted hairs start to fall off within 3 weeks of the procedure, and then new hair starts to grow in the area.
2. Lasers and Light-Based Facial Treatment
Laser beams are used to treat imperfections and wrinkles to improve appearance and conquer the effects of facial aging. In plastic surgery, these treatments are employed to reconstruct scarred skin tissues and marks caused by accidents, burns, and stitches.
3. Chemical Peels
Chemical peels use Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) to treat the uppermost layer of the skin, removing marks, wrinkles, and scars. Some treatments require deep-tissue cleansing using TCA (tri-chloroacetic acid) to reach the dermis at greater depth.
Many cosmetic surgical procedures require a direct recommendation from a professional to ensure the best results for you. Why not take out time and schedule an appointment with a plastic surgeon?
MedicoTrips Aesthetics Centre
MedicoTrips collaborates with some of the best doctors and medical specialists in the field of aesthetics, as well as dentistry and a variety of other cosmetic and plastic surgical operations that you may require on your journey to regaining confidence in your body.
As one of the most highly recommended medical facilities in Istanbul, Turkey, we pledge to offer our customers the best high-quality surgical procedure they can get.
Get in touch with us and we will arrange an appointment with some of our finest doctors, whether you’re travelling a great distance or need an immediate fix. Alternatively, you can get a quote right away.
